In the inadvertence of grief, she ran into the shop. "What hae ye gotten there, lassie?" said Bruce, as sharply as if she might have stolen it. "Mr Cowie gave me his Bible, 'cause he's dein' himsel', and doesna want it ony langer," answered Annie. "Lat's luik at it." Annie gave it up with reluctance. "It's a braw buik, and bonnie buirds--though gowd an' purple maitters little to the Bible. We'll jist lay't upo' the room-table, an' we'll hae worship oot o' 't whan ony body's wi' 's, ye ken." "I want it mysel'," objected Annie, in dismay, for although she did not think of the money at the moment, she had better reasons for not liking to part with the book. "Ye can hae't when ye want it. That's eneuch, surely." Annie could hardly think his saying so enough, however, seeing the door of _the room_ was kept locked, and Mrs Bruce, patient woman as she was, would have boxed any one's ears whom she met coming from within the sacred precincts. CHAPTER LIV. Before the next Sunday Mr Cowie was dead; and, through some mistake or mismanagement, there was no one to preach. So the congregation did each as seemed right in his own eyes; and Mrs Forbes went to the missionar kirk in the evening to hear Mr Turnbull. Kate and Alec accompanied her. By this time Robert Bruce had become a great man in the community--after his own judgment at least; for although, with a few exceptions, the missionars yielded him the influence he sought, nobody respected him; they only respected his money. He had managed to secure one of the most fashionable pews in the chapel; and now when Mrs Forbes's party entered, and a little commotion arose in consequence, they being more of gentlefolk than the place was accustomed to entertain, Bruce was the first to walk from his seat, and request them to occupy his pew. Alec would have passed on, for he disliked the man, but Mrs Forbes having reasons for being complaisant, accepted his offer. Colds kept the rest of the Bruces at home, and Annie was the only other occupant of the pew. She crept up to the top of it, like a little shy mouse, to be as far out of the way as possible. "Come oot, Annie," said Bruce, in a loud whisper.